One moms journey to lose weight, be healthy and happy in the process!

Everyone knows that when you dine out on a diet, you are in the danger zone! So much temptation, so little willpower! But, if you keep your goals in mind, you can eat a healthy meal and enjoy yourself when you go out to a restaurant to eat. Remember, it’s really not about what you’re eating but who you’re eating it with!

Making a plan in advance is the best way to approach eating out on a diet. First, decide where you’re going to eat and choose a restaurant with a healthy menu. That means lots of choices on the menu that will help you stay in control of your eating.

Remember to keep your portions small. One really good way to do this is to pack up half of your meal to go before you even start to eat it. That way, you’ll only eat what’s on your plate.

You can also make sure you’ve got vegetables on at least half of your plate and the rest will consist of your protein and starch. Your protein should only take up a quarter of your plate and the starch will take up the other quarter.

Make sure you choose items on the menu that are described as broiled, baked, steamed, grilled, blackened and poached.

Avoid code words for “fat” in foods described as alfredo, breaded, creamed, pesto, smothered,country, bacon, cheesy, crispy, bechamel, sauteed and old-fashioned.

It’s okay to splurge when you dine out on a diet but make sure you plan it, too. Limit yourself to 250 calories and don’t do it more than once a week. You can work off that splurge with a little extra exercise. Here are some examples of a 250 calorie splurge: a small, unfrosted brownie, a small order of french fries, a single scoop of ice cream on a cone.

Remember that eating good food is only half the fun of dining out. Getting to spend time with a family friend or loved one while someone else does the work of cooking and cleaning is the other half. Enjoy it!